IPOH: Hiking activities at Gunung Batu Putih have been temporarily suspended with immediate effect.
Perak Forestry director Datuk Mohd Basri Abdul Manaf confirmed the matter, saying that climbing activities would be halted for three to six months.
“We will look at the (level of) safety in that area. We also want to rehabilitate the area, and it will take three to six months,” he said when met by reporters after the 2026 state-level International Day of Forests celebration yesterday, Bernama reported.
Mohd Basri said his team will also examine in detail standard operating procedures for hiking activities, including the cut-off time for forest hikes in the state.
Meanwhile, Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, said that the Orang Asli community should be involved in search and rescue (SAR) operations for missing persons in forest areas.
“The maintenance of this forest, besides being overseen by the Forestry Department, also involves the local community, which consists of the Orang Asli people.
“Orang Asli communities, especially the Tok Batin, should be involved in hiking activities, and when there are cases of missing persons, and when SAR operations are carried out, they should also be involved,” he said.
